Manifold for cooling agent, heat exchanger, cooling agent closed circuit and method for producing a manifold

ABSTRACT

The invention relates to a manifold for a cooling agent of an air conditioning plant which comprises a separation form-closed element fixed inside a manifold housing, a heat exchanger provided with said manifold, the closed cooling agent circuit of the air conditioning plant with the manifold and a method for producing said manifold.

The invention relates to a header for a refrigerant of an airconditioning system, with a housing, with a chamber and with arefrigerant-permeable separation element, and also to a heat exchangerwith such a header and to a refrigerant circuit of an air conditioningsystem with such a header. The invention also relates to a method forthe production of such a header.

Heat exchangers with such headers are described in the applicant's olderpatent application DE 102 13 194. In the subject of the applicant'solder application, a portion of the header is used to receive the driergranulate, the header portion being delimited upwardly and downwardly byperforated plates. This solution has the advantage that a separate driercontainer does not have to be inserted into the header, and that thedrier can be soldered together with the entire refrigerant condenser,that is to say does not have to be inserted at a later date, after thesoldering process, into the header which would subsequently have to beclosed. The disadvantage of the solution illustrated and described inthe older application is that the header is widened in the region of thedrier portion, that is to say has a larger cross section in relation tothe adjacent portions. This signifies an outlay in manufacturing termswhich entails additional costs.

The object of the present invention is to improve a header according tothe subject of the older application to the effect that it can beproduced more simply and more cost-effectively. The object of theinvention is also to specify a cost-effective method for the productionof a header.

This object is achieved by means of a header having the features ofclaim 1, by means of a heat exchanger or refrigerant condenser havingthe features of one of claims 14 and 20, by means of a refrigerantcircuit having the features of claim 15 and by means of a method for theproduction of a header having the features of one of claims 16 to 19 and31.

According to claim 1, a header for a refrigerant of an air conditioningsystem has a housing with an inlet and an outlet orifice, a chamber forreceiving the refrigerant and at least one refrigerant-permeableseparation element, the separation element separating a first and asecond region of the chamber from one another.

Advantageously, an inner wall of the housing has one or more, inparticular continuous or singly or multiply interrupted projections ordepressions for supporting the separation element. It is therebypossible for one or more separation elements to be supported on theinner wall of the housing, or to be fixed with respect to the innerwall, in the header by means of such stop faces or abutments, withoutthe external configuration of the header being appreciably influencedfor this purpose. The header housing can thus be produced in a simpleway, for example from a welded tube of constant cross section, to theinner wall of which, in particular, the projections are attached bymeans of simple tools.

According to an advantageous embodiment of the invention, the separationelement has a filter or is designed as a filter, so that the firstregion of the chamber forms a return-flow chamber communicating with theinlet orifice and the second region forms a forward-flow chambercommunicating with the outlet orifice. By the refrigerant beingfiltered, an adverse entrainment of particles in a refrigerant circuitis hindered.

Particularly preferably, the filter comprises a filter fabric which hasa reinforced edge region and/or is set in a frame connectable to thehousing. The filter thereby has increased stability, as a result ofwhich, in particular, it becomes easier for the filter to be mounted inthe housing.

According to a further advantageous embodiment, a drier can be receivedin the first region, so that water can be extracted from the refrigerantwhich flows through the header. The first region of the chamberconsequently becomes the drier region. The drier in this case takes theform, in particular, of granulate or powder and is fixed in the drierregion by means of at least one separation element.

Preferably, the separation element has a sieve or is designed as asieve. An escape of, in particular, abrasion particles from the drierregion into the second region of the chamber is thereby prevented.Particularly preferably, the sieve has a reinforced edge region and/oris set in a frame connectable to the housing. The sieve thereby hasincreased stability, as a result of which, in particular, it becomeseasier for the sieve to be mounted in the housing.

According to an advantageous development, the drier can be fixed in thefirst region by means of a force accumulator, such as, for example, acompression spring or a cup spring. A slipping out of place and, ifappropriate, an abrasion of the drier are thereby prevented or at leastrestricted. Particularly preferably, a force which is exerted by theforce accumulator on the, in particular, granular or pulverulent drieris transmitted to the drier with the aid of a force distributor, suchas, for example, a pressure plate, so that the force acts, equallydistributed, on the drier.

According to an advantageous embodiment of the invention, the housingconsists of at least two parts, the separation element being held in ajoint between two housing parts, thus resulting in a particularly simpletype of construction of the header. According to an exemplaryembodiment, in this case, the joint is covered on the outside of thehousing by means of a covering, such as, for example, a sleeve. In afurther exemplary embodiment, the two housing parts can be plugged oneinto the other in such a way that the joint is covered outwardly by atleast one of the two housing parts.

According to a preferred embodiment, the separation element can besupported against movement away from the first region. In particular, inthe case of a first chamber region designed as a drier region, a driercan thus be received in the first region.

According to a preferred embodiment, the separation element can besupported against movement toward the first region. A support of theseparation element against movement away from the first region andagainst movement toward the first region is particularly preferred.

According to a preferred embodiment, the separation element can besupported by means of a force accumulator, such as, for example, acompression spring, a cup spring or a securing ring. This serves for asimplified mounting of the separation element which is held by such aprestressed force accumulator.

According to an advantageous embodiment, the separation element isconnected in a materially integral manner, in particular soldered, tothe housing. Particularly advantageously, the separation element can besoldered to the housing or, in particular, to the heat exchanger in oneoperation, so that production is simplified, since there is no need at alater stage to insert or connect the separation element into or to thehousing.

According to a further embodiment, a simple type of construction isafforded by a tubular housing having, in particular, a round crosssection. The end faces of the tube are preferably closed, at least oneinlet orifice and at least one outlet orifice then being arrangedelsewhere.

According to an advantageous development of the invention, theprojections are designed as a continuous bead, that is to say as acontraction of the header cross section. Alternatively, this bead mayalso be interrupted on the circumference, thus resulting only inindividual bead segments or knob-like projections which are suitable forfunctioning as abutments for the inserts.

According to an advantageous development of the invention, the twoinserts are loaded by a compression spring which is arranged betweenthem and which presses via a moveable pressure plate onto the granulateand keeps the latter under compressive stress.

In a further embodiment of the invention, the low insert may be designedas a perforated plate or as an annular sieve which is supported on theprojections or a continuous bead and which can additionally be solderedcircumferentially. This results in 100% leaktightness in the edgeregion, so that no particles, for example granulate abrasion, penetrateinto the lower header space.

According to a further advantageous embodiment of the invention, theupper insert may be as far as possible open and be designed as aperforated plate or ring which is supported on the projections. Theupper insert therefore does not have to seal off, but form merely anabutment for the compression spring which presses onto the pressureplate moveable in the header.

According to an advantageous development of the invention, in the lowerregion of the header, that is to say between the two overflow orifices,an annular sieve is arranged, that is to say a planar sieve fabric whichis framed circumferentially by a ring fastened in the header, whether ina groove or by means of a frictional connection, for example by pressingas a result of an increase in diameter of the ring. This filter sievehas the advantage of a constant mesh width, as compared with acup-shaped sieve (according to the older application). Fine particlesare thereby retained in the header. This ring, too, may be solderedcircumferentially to the header inner wall, in order to achieve onehundred percent leaktightness in this region.

According to an advantageous development, a header according to theinvention is inserted into a heat exchanger with tubes, ribs and twoheadpieces and/or into a refrigerant circuit of an air conditioningsystem with a compression element, with a first heat exchanger, with anexpansion element and with a second heat exchanger.

The object of the invention is also achieved by means of a method havingthe features of one of claims 16 to 19 and 31. This method has theadvantage that the drier, which, in particular, is also to be soldered,can be mounted and fixed in the header in a simple way. This takesplace, for example, after the insertion of a drier, essentially in thatan insert is pressed down, for example by means of a suitable tool, anda force accumulator is put under prestress and is subsequently fixed inthe prestressed state, in that, above it, one or more projections areintroduced into the housing inner wall, the insert subsequently comingto bear against the projections. The drier is consequently ready-mountedin the header. The pressed-down insert is in this case either theseparation element or a force distributor or a housing wall.

Hence, in the method according to the invention, only one tool, forexample a ram, for generating a prestress and one further tool whichacts from outside and is coordinated with the first tool and whichattaches the projections in the header are required. These are simpleand reliable method steps which allow a cost-effective production of theheader together with solderable drier.

The invention is explained in more detail below by means of exemplaryembodiments, with reference to the drawings in which:

FIGS. 1-6 show in each case a detail of a heat exchanger with a headeraccording to the present invention,

FIG. 7 shows a detail of a header,

FIGS. 8-9 show in each case a detail of a heat exchanger with a header,

FIGS. 10-13 show in each case a detail of a header, and

FIGS. 14-16 show in each case a detail of a heat exchanger with aheader.

FIG. 1 shows a perspective illustration of an only partially illustratedrefrigerant condenser 1, a heat exchanger network 2, a header tube 3 anda header 4 being partially illustrated. The refrigerant condenser 1corresponds in construction as far as possible to the refrigerantcondenser according to the older application bearing the file number 10213 194.5, which in full becomes the subject of this application, that isto say is fully incorporated into the disclosure of the invention.

The heat exchanger network 2 consists of flat tubes 5, the ends of whichare received by the header tube 3 and between which corrugated ribs 6are arranged. The header tube 3 and the header 4 are arranged parallelto one another and, as is known from the older application, areconnected mechanically and fluidically to one another, that is to say bytwo overflow orifices 7 and 8, via which the refrigerant passes from theheader tube 3 into the header 4 and flows out of the latter back intothe header tube 3 again. The header 4 is composed of a tubular piece 9,for example a welded tube, and of an extruded profile 10 which has theoverflow orifices 7, 8 and which is closed on the end face by means of acover 11.

The header 4, consisting of the tube 9 and profile 10, has approximatelya circular cross section and is cut open in the illustration, in orderto allow a look into its interior. There, in the region between the twooverflow orifices 7, 8, a filter in the form of an annular sieve 12 isarranged, which consists of an outer ring 13 and of an inner planarsieve fabric 14 framed by the ring 13. The ring 13 is held positively ina groove 15 of the profile 10 and can be soldered to the profile 10. Theannular sieve 12 is mounted by the annular sieve 12 being introducedwith slight radial play into the profile 10 until it has reached theannular groove 15. The ring 13 is then anchored in the annular groove 15by means of an increase in diameter, for example by pressing. Frictionalfastening of the ring 13, without an annular groove 15, would likewisebe possible.

The tubular piece 9 has arranged in it a continuous inwardly directedbead 16 which results in a narrowing of the tube cross section. The bead16 may be introduced into the tubular piece 9 before the tubular piece 9is connected to the profile 10. Instead of this continuous bead 16,individual bead segments or knob-like projections distributed over thecircumference are also possible. Above the bead 16, a perforated plate17 is arranged, that is to say it lies on the bead 16 which forms anabutment for the perforated plate 17. The perforated plate 17 can besoldered to the tubular piece 9 circumferentially at a later stage.Above the perforated plate 17, a drier granulate 18 (partiallyillustrated) is introduced as a loose heap into the header 4. Above thegranulate filling 18 is located a further perforated plate 19 which ismoveable axially in the header 4 and which initially lies loosely on thegranulate heap. This perforated plate 19 acts as a pressure place and isloaded by a compression spring 20 which is arranged above it and whichis supported upwardly against a further perforated plate 21 which itselfbears against projections 22 distributed over the circumference. Theknob-like projections 22, which serve as abutments to the perforatedplate 21, are introduced into the tubular piece 9 only after all thecomponents 17 to 21 of the drier are positioned in the header 4.

The ready-mounting of these drier components, that is to say their finalfixing in the header 4, takes place in that the uppermost perforatedplate 21 is pressed downward by means of a ram, not illustrated, withthe result that the spring 20 is prestressed and the granulate islikewise put under compressive stress. When the uppermost perforatedplate 21 has reached its predetermined position, the knob-likeprojections 22 are pressed into the tubular piece 9 from outside bymeans of a suitable tool, and the perforated plate 21 can then berelieved as a result of the retraction of the ram and then comes to bearwith its upper edge against the projections 22. Thus, owing to theprestress of the spring 20, all the drier components 17 to 21 are heldin position between the two abutments 16, 22 and can subsequently besoldered to the entire condenser 1. The header 4 is previously closedupwardly by means of a cover, not illustrated.

The perforated plates 17, 19 are provided with a laid-on sieve fabric,not illustrated, which retains particles, such as granulate dust. Theuppermost perforated plate 21 may also be designed as a ring, that is tosay have on the inside a free cross section such that it performs merelythe function of an abutment for the compression spring 20. Moreover, thetwo perforated plates 17, 19 may also be designed as annular sieves inthe manner of the above-described annular sieve 12 and be fastened inthe header 4.

In other design versions, the perforated plates or annular sieves mayhave a set-up edge in a similar way to a crucible or pot.

FIG. 2 shows a further exemplary embodiment of a heat exchanger 30 witha header 31. Projections 34 are introduced from outside into the innerwall 33 of a tubular housing 32 of the header by being pressed in, aring 35 being laid onto said projections, a force accumulator in theform of a compression or helical spring 36 lies on the ring 35 and isitself covered by a sieve or separation element 37 designed as a fabricdisk. For improved stability, the fabric disk 37 may have an edge regionreinforced by means of condensed fabric. In a chamber 39 in the headerhousing 32, the separation element 37 divides off a drier region 38 inwhich a drier, not illustrated for the sake of greater clarity, isarranged. The drier is covered, in turn, by a second fabric disk 40which is again supported by projections 41 of the inner wall 33. Theindividual components may be inserted into the header 31 both in theorder described and in reverse order.

FIG. 3 shows a further exemplary embodiment of a heat exchanger 50 witha header 51. Here, first, projections 52 are introduced into a housinginner wall 53 of the header 51, and then a separation element 54designed as a round metal sheet is supported on the projections 52,after which the header housing is filled with a drier, not illustrated.Subsequently, with the aid of a separation element 55 designed as aperforated plate, a fabric disk 56 is pushed into the header housing.

Preferably, the outer dimensions, here the diameter, of the fabric disk56 are greater than the inner dimensions of the header housing, so thatan outer edge of the fabric disk 56 comes to bear against an outercircumferential surface of the separation element 55, and the fabricdisk 56 thus has a cup-shaped design and, with the aid of a subsequentlyintroduced force accumulator 57 designed as a compression or helicalspring, is pressed against the drier, with the result that the drier isfixed in the header 51 in a part of the chamber 59 which is separated asa drier region 58. Finally, to obtain a prestress acting on the forceaccumulator 57, projections 60 are introduced into the housing innerwall 53, the force accumulator 57 being supported on said projections.By the projections 52 or 60 being introduced into the housing inner wall53 from outside, indentations 62 or 63 remain on the outside 61 of theheader 51.

As illustrated in FIG. 4 it is also possible to premount a header 71 ofa heat exchanger 70 as follows. A separation element 72 designed as aperforated plate is laid onto projections 73 in the housing inner wall74 of the header 71. A fabric disk 75 is subsequently inserted into theheader 71, the fabric disk 75 preferably having larger outer dimensionsthan the inner dimensions of the header housing, so that an edge region76 of the fabric disk 75 can be set up and can be laid against thehousing inner wall 74. It is advantageous to push the fabric disk 75into the header 71 with the aid of a ram which is particularlypreferably of internally hollow design, so that the ram can be used atthe same time for filling the header with a drier which, in particular,is in granulate or powder form. In this case, the edge region 76 of thefabric disk 75 is advantageously pressed onto the housing inner wall 74by the drier.

Finally, the drier, not shown, is covered by a further fabric disk 77and fixed with the aid of a force accumulator 78, the force accumulator78 being supported, and kept in the prestressed state, on projections 80via a separation element 79 likewise designed as a fabric disk or as asheet metal disk or as a sheet metal ring.

In an exemplary embodiment which is not illustrated, a force accumulatoris supported directly on projections of a header housing inner wall,that is to say without an interposed separation element. A separationelement is then provided by the fabric disk 77 in exactly the same wayas in the exemplary embodiment of FIG. 4.

FIG. 5 shows a heat exchanger 90 with a header 91, in which a drier, notillustrated, is pressed with the aid of a force accumulator 92 and of aseparation element 93 not against a further separation element, but,instead, against a housing cover 94 of the header 91. In order toprevent the housing cover 94 from falling out as a result of a forceexerted by the force accumulator 92, it is possible to insert thehousing cover 94 into the header with an exact fit, for example a firmconnection between the housing cover and the header housing being madeafter a soldering operation. There is likewise the possibility ofintroducing projections into the housing inner wall 95, so that thehousing cover 94 is fixed in a desired position. The projections may beintroduced, for example, as beads or notches into the housing wall abovethe housing cover 94. The housing cover 94 may likewise be fixed bymeans of bent-round tabs. A further possibility for fixing the housingcover is completely or partially to contract the housing wallcircumferentially above the housing cover 94.

FIG. 6 shows a detail of a further exemplary embodiment of a header 101of a heat exchanger 100. Here, a separation element in the form of afabric disk 102 is slipped over a force accumulator 103 designed as acompression spring, by the fabric disk 102 being pushed into the headerwith the aid of the force accumulator 103. This takes place, forexample, in a similar way to the embodiments described with reference toFIG. 3 and FIG. 4.

Projections 104 are subsequently introduced into the housing inner wallof the header 101, so that the force accumulator 103 is supported. Theshape of the force accumulator 103 must be adapted appropriately, thatis to say the outer dimensions of the force accumulator 103 must beselected such that the force accumulator 103 is prevented from movingpast the projections 104 by said projections.

In FIG. 7, a detail of a header 110 can be seen, in which a separationelement 116 which has a perforated plate 111 is supported on projections114 in the housing inner wall 115 of the header 110 via a forceaccumulator in the form of a cup spring 112 and via a holding ring 113.The separation element 116 has, furthermore, a fabric disk 117, so thata separation of a drier region 118 from an inner chamber of the header110 is implemented. The fabric disk 117 is in this case, in particular,of resiliently elastic design and thus itself acts as a forceaccumulator, so that, in an exemplary embodiment which is not shown, theforce accumulator 112 may under certain circumstances be omitted. Thefabric disk 117 is advantageously produced from a temperature-resistantmaterial, so that a soldering of the header which follows filling ispossible. The fabric disk 117 may take the form, for example, of aninsulating material mat or of a glass fiber mat.

FIG. 8 shows a detail of a heat exchanger 120, cut open for clarity,with tubes 121, ribs 122, a headpiece 123 and a header 124. Chambers125, 126 are separated from one another or closed off outwardly in thetubular headpiece 123 by means of partitions 127, 128. The headpiece 123and the header 124 are firmly connected to one another via a connectionregion 129, and are preferably produced in one piece with one another.

The header 124 has a return-flow chamber 130 and a forward-flow chamber131, the return-flow chamber 130 communicating with the chamber 125 ofthe headpiece 123 via an inlet orifice 132, and the forward-flow chamber131 communicating with the chamber 126 of the headpiece 123 via anoutlet orifice 133. The return-flow chamber 130 and the forward-flowchamber 131 are separated from one another by means of a separationelement 134 designed as a filter.

During operation, the flow passes through the heat exchanger 120 and theheader 124 preferably as follows. Refrigerant from some of the tubes 121is collected in the chamber 125 of the headpiece 123 and flows fromthere through the inlet orifice 132 into the return-flow chamber 130 ofthe header 124. In the header, a calming of the refrigerant, which undersome circumstances is in the liquid and in the gaseous phase, occurs, sothat preferably phase-pure refrigerant leaves the header. In the header,the refrigerant passes through the separation element 134 over into theforward-flow chamber 131 and is at the same time filtered, in thatparticles are caught in the separation element designed as a filter. Adrier, not illustrated, in the return-flow chamber moreover extractsfrom the refrigerant undesirable water which under some circumstances iscontained in the refrigerant. The refrigerant finally flows through theoutlet orifice into the chamber 126 of the headpiece 123 and isdistributed to some of the tubes 121.

The filter 134, which is designed, for example, as a fabric disk, issupported by means of a continuous projection 134 against movement inthe direction of the forward-flow chamber and, via a spreading element137 designed as a securing ring, is supported by means of a likewisecontinuous projection 136 against movement in the direction of thereturn-flow chamber. For this purpose, the preferably cup-shaped filteris first inserted into the header and is subsequently pressed with theaid of the spreading element 137 into a depression formed between theprojections 135 and 136.

In this case, the spreading element 137, on the one hand, assumes thetask of fixing the separation element 134 and, on the other hand,presses a preferably set-up edge of the separation element 134 againstthe inner wall 138 of the header, preferably into the depression formedin the projections 135 and 136. In order to ensure such a pressing ofthe separation element 134 against the inner wall 138 of the header evenin an open region 139 of the securing ring 137, the securing ring 137may be tensioned after mounting, and may be rotated a little in thetensioned state, in order thereafter to be detensioned again. Under somecircumstances, it is sufficient if the spreading element 137 is seatedwithout prestress in the depression formed between the projections 135and 136.

FIG. 9 illustrates a further exemplary embodiment of a heat exchanger140 with a header 141, the header 141 having a housing 142 whichconsists essentially of two tubular parts 143, 144 plugged one into theother and of closing covers 145. The outer tubular part 143 has aprojection 146 which supports a separation element 147 designed as afilter. With the aid of one end face of the inner tubular part 144, theseparation element 147 is supported in the opposite direction. Thehousing 142 of the header 141 can be soldered jointly with the heatexchanger 140.

The filter 147 may be designed as a simple fabric disk, may have acondensed, reinforced or folded-round edge or, as shown in FIG. 9, maybe framed in a ring 148. The ring 148 is preferably made from metal, sothat it can be soldered to the header housing 142.

FIG. 10 shows a detail of a header 150 in cross section. A housing innerwall 151 of the header 150 has a first projection 152, a secondprojection 153 and a depression 154 lying between them. A separationelement 155, for example a filter, lies on the first projection 152 andis pressed against the projection 152 with the aid of a conical ring156.

If, then, the conical ring 156 is pressed into the depression 154, anarrangement which is illustrated in FIG. 11 is obtained. The ring 156 isthen supported by the projection 153, sealing off then being achieved bymeans of a circumferential bracing of the ring 156.

In a similar exemplary embodiment, a separation element is supported onboth sides in this way by means of a braced ring, in which case aconical ring may also under certain circumstances be braced without adepression, that is to say only circumferentially, in the headerhousing.

FIG. 12 shows the detail of a header 160, the housing of which has atleast two tubular parts 161, 162 in a similar way to the header 141 inFIG. 9. The two tubular parts are placed one on the other on the endface and connected to one another by a sleeve 163. A separation element164 designed as a filter has an edge framed in a ring 165. The ring 165is arranged between the mutually confronting end faces of the tubularparts 161, 162 and is thus held in its position.

The header 170 in FIG. 13 has a housing with an inner wall 171 and aseparation element 172 which is supported on both sides in the innerwall 171 by means of projections 173, 174 introduced from outside. Theprojections 173, 174, designed as knobs, are arranged in two rows, inwhich case each knob row may likewise be designed as a continuous bead.The projections 173, 174 may be introduced into the inner wall of theheader housing before and/or after insertion of the separation elementinto the header, in the first case the separation element having to bepressed past a row of projections. This signifies a particularly lowoutlay in manufacturing terms.

FIG. 14 shows a detail of a heat exchanger 180 with a header 181, inwhich a drier, not illustrated for the sake of greater clarity, is fixedin a drier region 182 without the aid of a force accumulator. The drieris held between a separation element 183 designed as a sieve and ahousing cover 184 of the header 181. The separation element is supportedin the inner wall 186 of the header housing by means of projections 185,whereas the housing cover 184 is secured against falling out by means ofa formed housing end 187.

As can be seen in FIG. 14, the separation element 183 can be framed in aring 188 which is laid onto the projections 185.

FIG. 15 shows an exemplary embodiment in which the separation element191 is designed as a perforated plate 192 with a glass fiber coat 193and is likewise laid onto projections 194 in a housing inner wall 195 ofthe header 190.

As regards the header 200 in FIG. 16, the separation element 201 isdesigned as a perforated plate cup 202 with a set-up edge region 203 andis likewise provided with a glass fiber coat 204. By means of agranulation and/or beading of the housing of the header at a point levelwith the separation element 201, the separation element 201 is securedagainst a change in position in the direction of the drier, notillustrated, or in the opposite direction.

The invention is likewise achieved by means of a heat exchanger and bymeans of a method having one or more of the following features.

A soldered refrigerant condenser, consisting of a heat exchanger networkwith flat tubes and corrugated ribs, of header tubes which are connectedfluidically to the flat tubes and of a header which is arranged parallelto one of the header tubes and which preferably receives within it adrier and/or filter and is connected fluidically to the header tube viaoverflow orifices, the drier being designed as a space which receives adrying agent and which is delimited by a portion of the header and bytwo refrigerant-permeable inserts which pass through the cross sectionof the header and which are supported on at least one or moreprojections of the header.

A condenser, as before, characterized in that the projection or theprojections is or are designed as a continuous bead or at leastindividual distributed projections.

A condenser, as before, characterized in that the projection or theprojections is or are designed as bead segments distributed over thecircumference of the header.

A condenser as before, characterized in that, between the inserts, anelastic element, such as, for example, a compression spring, isarranged, which is supported, on the one hand, against the upper insertand, on the other hand, against a moveable pressure plate which lies onthe drier granulate and which presses the latter against the lowerinsert.

A condenser as before, characterized in that the lower insert isdesigned as a perforated plate with a laid-on or integrated sieve orsieve fabric.

A condenser as before, characterized in that the perforated plate issoldered circumferentially to the header.

A condenser as before, characterized in that the filter is arranged inthe lower region of the header between the two overflow orifices and isdesigned as an annular sieve.

A condenser as before, characterized in that the annular sieve consistsof an outer ring and of a framed planar sieve fabric.

A condenser as before, characterized in that the ring is inserted into agroove in the header.

A condenser as before, characterized in that the ring is connected tothe header by frictional connection.

A condenser as before, characterized in that the ring is solderedcircumferentially to the header.

A method for the production of a condenser as before, characterized

in that, first, the projections in the lower region of the header areproduced,

in that the first insert is then laid onto the lower projections,

in that, subsequently, granulate is introduced and is covered upwardlyby means of the moveable pressure plate,

in that the compression spring is positioned on the pressure plate andthe second insert is positioned above it,

in that the second insert is pressed down in the header from outside andthe compression spring is prestressed, in that projections areintroduced into the header above the second insert, and

in that the second insert is relieved from outside and is pressedagainst the projections by the compression spring.

Finally, it may be emphasized that the features of the exemplaryembodiments described above can be combined with one another in anydesired way within the scope of the present invention.

1. A header for a refrigerant of an air conditioning system, with ahousing which has at least one inlet and at least one outlet orifice forthe refrigerant, with a chamber for receiving the refrigerant and withat least one refrigerant-permeable separation element which separates afirst and a second region of the chamber from one another, characterizedin that an inner wall of the housing has one or more, in particularcontinuous or singly or multiply interrupted projections or depressionsfor supporting the separation element.
 2. The header as claimed in claim1, characterized in that the first region forms a return-flow chambercommunicating with the inlet orifice and the second region forms aforward-flow chamber communicating with the outlet orifice, and in thatthe separation element has a filter or is designed as a filter.
 3. Theheader as claimed in claim 2, characterized in that the filter comprisesa filter fabric which has a reinforced edge region and/or is set in aframe connectable to the housing.
 4. The header as claimed in claim 1,characterized in that a drier taking the form, in particular, ofgranulate or powder can be received in the first region.
 5. The headeras claimed in claim 4, characterized in that the separation element hasa sieve or is designed as a sieve.
 6. The header as claimed in claim 5,characterized in that the sieve has a reinforced edge region and/or isset in a frame connectable to the housing.
 7. The header as claimed inclaim 4, characterized in that the drier can be fixed in the firstregion by means of a force accumulator and, in particular, a forcedistributor.
 8. The header as claimed in claim 1, characterized in thata depression for supporting the separation element is formed by a jointbetween two housing parts.
 9. The header as claimed in claim 1,characterized in that the separation element can be supported againstmovement away from the first region.
 10. The header as claimed in claim1, characterized in that the separation element can be supported againstmovement toward the first region.
 11. The header as claimed in claim 1,characterized in that the separation element can be supported by meansof a force accumulator, the force accumulator being designed, inparticular, as a compression spring or cup spring or as a securing ring.12. The header as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that theseparation element can be connected in a materially integral manner, inparticular soldered, to the housing.
 13. The header as claimed in claim1, characterized in that the housing is designed as a closed tube, inparticular round tube, with at least one inlet orifice and at least oneoutlet orifice.
 14. A heat exchanger, in particular condenser, withtubes, ribs and two head pieces, characterized in that the heatexchanger has a header as claimed in claim
 1. 15. A refrigerant circuitof an air conditioning system, in particular for a motor vehicle, with acompression element, with a first heat exchanger, with an expansionelement, with a second heat exchanger and with a header, characterizedin that the header is designed as claimed in claim
 1. 16. A method forthe production of a header for a refrigerant of an air conditioningsystem, in particular as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that,first, one or more projections are introduced into a housing inner wallof the header, in that a separation element is then laid onto thesupporting means, in that, subsequently, a drier is introduced and iscovered, in particular, by means of a force distributor, in particular amoveable pressure plate, in that a force accumulator, in particular acompression spring, is positioned on the drier or the force distributor,in that, in particular, a second separation element or a housing wall ispositioned on the force accumulator, in that the force accumulator, thesecond separation element or the housing wall is pressed down in thehousing from outside and the force accumulator is prestressed, in thatone or more further projections are introduced into the housing innerwall above the force accumulator, the second partition or the housingwall, and in that the force accumulator is relieved from outside, andthe force accumulator presses against the further projections or thesecond partition or the housing wall is pressed against the furthersupporting means by the force accumulator.
 17. A method for theproduction of a header for a refrigerant of an air conditioning system,in particular as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that a drier isintroduced into a housing and is covered, in particular, by means of aforce distributor, in particular a moveable pressure plate, in that aforce accumulator, in particular a compression spring, is positioned onthe drier or the force distributor, and a separation element ispositioned on said compression spring, in that the separation element ispressed down in the housing from outside and the force accumulator isprestressed, in that one or more projections are introduced into ahousing inner wall of the header above the separation element, in thatthe separation element is relieved from outside and is pressed againstthe projections by the force accumulator, and in that the housing isclosed.
 18. A method for the production of a header for a refrigerant ofan air conditioning system, in particular as claimed in claim 1,characterized in that a drier is introduced into a housing and iscovered by means of a separation element designed, in particular, as aforce distributor, in particular a moveable pressure plate, in that aforce accumulator, in particular a compression spring, is positioned onthe separation element, in that the force accumulator is pressed down inthe housing from outside and is prestressed, in that one or moreprojections are introduced into a housing inner wall of the header abovethe force accumulator, in that the force accumulator is relieved fromoutside and is pressed against the projections, and in that the housingis closed.
 19. A method for the production of a header for a refrigerantof an air conditioning system, in particular as claimed in claim 1,characterized in that a drier is introduced into a housing and iscovered by means of a separation element, in that the separation elementis pressed down in the housing from outside, in that one or moreprojections are introduced into a housing inner wall of the header aboveor level with the separation element, in that the separation element isrelieved from outside and is supported by the projections, and in thatthe housing is closed.
 20. A soldered refrigerant condenser, inparticular as claimed in claim 1, consisting of a heat exchanger networkwith flat tubes and corrugated ribs, of header tubes which are connectedfluidically to the flat tubes and of a header which is arranged parallelto one of the header tubes and which preferably receives within it adrier and/or filter and is connected fluidically to the header tube viaoverflow orifices, the drier being designed as a space which receives adrying agent and which is delimited by a portion of the header and bytwo refrigerant-permeable inserts which pass through the cross sectionof the header and which are supported on at least one or moreprojections of the header.
 21. The condenser as claimed in claim 1,characterized in that the projection or the projections is or aredesigned as a continuous bead or at least individual distributedprojections.
 22. The condenser as claimed in claim 1, characterized inthat the projection or the projections is or are designed as beadsegments distributed over the circumference of the header.
 23. Thecondenser as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that, between theinserts, an elastic element, such as, for example, a compression spring,is arranged, which is supported, on the one hand, against the upperinsert and, on the other hand, against a moveable pressure plate whichlies on the drier granulate and which presses the latter against thelower insert.
 24. The condenser as claimed in claim 1, characterized inthat the lower insert is designed as a perforated plate with a laid-onor integrated sieve or sieve fabric.
 25. The condenser as claimed inclaim 1, characterized in that the perforated plate is solderedcircumferentially to the header.
 26. The condenser as claimed in claim1, characterized in that the filter is arranged in the lower region ofthe header between the two overflow orifices and is designed as anannular sieve.
 27. The condenser as claimed in claim 1, characterized inthat the annular sieve consists of an outer ring and of a framed planarsieve fabric.
 28. The condenser as claimed in claim 1, characterized inthat the ring is inserted into a groove in the header.
 29. The condenseras claimed in claim 1, characterized in that the ring is connected tothe header by frictional connection.
 30. The condenser as claimed inclaim 1, characterized in that the ring is soldered circumferentially tothe header.
 31. A method for the production of a condenser as claimed inclaim 1, characterized in that, first, the projections in the lowerregion of the header are produced, in that the first insert is then laidonto the lower projections, in that, subsequently, granulate isintroduced and covered upwardly by means of the moveable pressure plate,in that the compression spring is positioned on the pressure plate andthe second insert is positioned above it, in that the second insert ispressed down in the header from outside and the compression spring isprestressed, in that projections are introduced into the header abovethe second insert, and in that the second insert is relieved fromoutside and is pressed against the projections by the compressionspring.